As silicone breast implants have progressed, the silicone used to fill them has changed with them. All implants sold today are a more cohesive silicone gel than in any of the implants sold 20 years ago. There are many different levels of cohesiveness in the gel, but at the top of that scale are “gummy bear” implants, which feature the most cohesive gel.
What are gummy bear implants?
The moniker gummy bear was given to these new highly cohesive implants because their thicker, more dense consistency. Surgeons began calling them gummy bear implants and the name stuck. These implants retain their shape even when they are cut, much like a gummy bear does.
What are the pros of highly cohesive implants?
Gummy bear implants are intended to mimic the natural shape of the human breast. Rather than a round shape, these implants are made in a teardrop shape that gives more fullness to the lower breast and tapers towards the upper part of the implant. This shape is more like a natural breast, plus it resists the effects of gravity and aging more effectively.
Many people feel that the firm gel used in highly cohesive implants creates a feel more like a natural, younger breast when compared to softer silicone and saline implants.
Thanks to their denser gel, gummy bear implants also are not prone to folds or wrinkles in the shell. This is because the gel doesn’t shift and move within the shell. While there are not yet any long-term studies since gummy bear implants only came on the market in 2013, it is thought that this lack of movement and the lower chance of rippling and folding (which is where most implant ruptures occur) could lower the chances of these implants rupturing. But only time will tell.
Early evidence also points to a lower rate of capsular contracture, the condition where scar tissue forms around the implant creating a tightening that eventually requires removal and replacement of the implant. The increased firmness of the implants is thought to possibly be behind this trend, but again it’s too early to say for sure.
What are the cons?
At this point, price seems to be the main drawback of gummy bear implants. The cost is several hundred dollars higher per pair than conventional implants.
The second drawback is the size of the incision required to place these implants. Because they cannot be compressed and re-formed to fit through a small incision, the required incision is four to five centimeters. This creates a bigger scar, obviously, and can limit the option of armpit insertion.
Gummy bear implants are a great new option for women seeking augmentation. As with any procedure, do your homework first. Once you’re ready, Call Dr. Ip at his Newport Beach, Beverly Hills, or Manhattan office and schedule a consultation, and be sure to ask about gummy bear implants.
